By Ralph Holibaugh
When it came time for me to choose a musical instrument, the ‘final step’ recommended by Mr. Nash, I remember immediately thinking about the trumpet and two of its players. One was Clyde McCoy, who was famous for recording “Sugar Blues” on Columbia records. It was the first time I ever heard a trumpet with a mute in its bell. The other trumpet player was Wilbur Fites, my uncle.
In the ‘40s I only knew Uncle Wilbur from family celebrations and holidays at my Grandma Fites’ extensive feasts. He would occasionally mention “playing jobs,” then smile slightly and say that he was paying for his house with the money he earned from those jobs. I learned that Wilbur’s “jobs’ were playing trumpet at dances.’
Much later I learned that “Shorty,” as he was affectionately called in childhood, had been an Eb alto horn player in the historically important Reed’s Boys Band of Alliance since the age of 9. He was in Reed’s Band when it joined the Alliance City Band in marching on May 29, 1923, three years before Alliance had a High School Band! In 1929, he played in a combined extravaganza featuring the Reed Band, the new AHS Band, and the Alliance City Band directed by Emil Rinkendorf. Wilbur, along with Ray Shank, Forest “Woody” Barth, Donald Stump and several others personified the links among these three bands. From a historical perspective, the first two bands had been “feeders” into the Alliance City Band.
My studies with Al Nash were musically foundational and significant. As he had earlier with the Flutophone, he taught me the rudiments of playing the trumpet, as well as playing in small music groups. I still recall vividly taking individual lessons with him, as well as practicing with small groups he directed in a caged space in the basement of Stanton Junior High School. The space served as a locked area for sports equipment!
At the end of sixth grade and graduating from elementary school, my caring, patient Flutophone teacher and first trumpet mentor told me that I would need to find another teacher. I was shocked. It was unexpected. “Who?” I asked. He replied immediately. “Go to the Band-Orch and ask for Mr. Best. That’s who you want to see.”